Improvement in picture-frames



H. S. HAL-E.

Picture Framas.

Patented June 16,1874.

- I II R. ,rliaillllr I rim.

IINITED STATES PATENT QFFICE.

HENRY S. HALE, OF PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGNOR TO HIM- SELF, A.KILBURN, J. IV. HALE, H. IV. CURTIS, O. KILBURN, AND W.

HALE, OF SAME PLACE.

IMPROVEMENT IN PICTURE-FRAMES.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 152,105, dated June 16,1874; application filed April 7, 1874.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, HENRY S. HALE, of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, haveinvented an Improvement in the Decoration of Frames for Pictures,Mirrors, &c., of which the following is a specification The object of myinvention is to affordfacilities for readily changing the ornamentalcharacter of a frame from time to time by means of detachable strips orpanels, which are differently veneered or otherwise ornamented onopposite sides, and which are so fitted to recesses in the permanentframe that they can be readily reversed at pleasure.

Figure 1 represents part of the frame of a mirror or picture; Fig. 2,atransverse section on the line 1 2, and Fig. 8 a section on the line 3at.

In each pillar A of the frame is a recess, bounded laterally by ribs ormoldings a a, and into this recess are fitted one or more strips orpanels, b, two in the present instance, as shown in Fig. 2. The oppositesides of each strip are differently ornamented-for instance, one stripmay be veneered on one side with French walnut, and on the opposite sidewith birds-eye maple, while the other strip may be veneered on one sidewith white holly, and on the other side with stained maple; and theveneered surfaces may be further ornamented by gilt scroll or foliatedornaments, or different designs may be cut through the strips, as thetaste of the constructor may suggest.

In the present instance the strips are confined to the recess in themiddle by a'screw, d, with ornamental head 6, and at the opposite endsby 0v rlapping portions ff of the permanent fran these portions, in thepresent case, consi ng of ornamental carvings, with which the fpper andlower ends of the pillars are dec rated. After removing the screw, bothstri s may be moved longitudinally in the difiction of the arrow, Fig.3, and are then at liberty to be withdrawn in the manner indicated bydotted lines, the strips after being so changed, as desired, beingrestored to the recess hi amanner which will be readily understoodwithout explanation. The entablature or cross'piece I) of the frame hasa similar recess for the reception of strips or panels, and a likerecess is formed in the lower cross-piece or base.

Two or more strips differently veneered, but on one side only, may beused, a change in this case being effected by placing one behind theother; but the number of changes would of course be restricted.

Although the frame always retains its orig inal shape and configuration,its general aspect will be materially changed by theadjustment of thestrips, which may be changed to present to the eye light or dark panels,or panels with different ornamentations, as taste may suggest. 4

In many cases I propose to use in each recess but one strip differentlyornamented on opposite sides, so that two changes only can be made inthe frame but three or even more strips may be used, so as to admit ofmore changes.

In some cases each. strip may be in two or more lengths; two lengths,for instance, may be fitted into the recess and meet each at the screwwhich confines both lengths to their place.

My invention, although especially applicable to frames for pictures andmirrors, may be applied to door and window frames, and to interiordecorations generally, as well as to many parts of furniture.

I claim as my invention- 1. A frame having recesses, to which detachableand reversible strips differently ornamented on opposite sides areadapted, substant-ially in the manner and for the purpose set forth.

2. The combination of each recess of the frame with two or moredifferently-ornamented superposed and detachable strips, as specified.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification in thepresence of two sub scribing witnesses.

' HENRY S. HALE.

Witnesses WM. A. STEEL, HARRY SMITH.

